This featured fine wine is the Château Haut Bages Averous - today the vineyards total 90 hectares situated on the Bages plateau near the village of Bages itself, just 
southwest of Pauillac; they have a typical constitution of gravel over a layer of marl, chalk and sand, and are planted with predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon (73%), with 15% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. The average age of the vines is about 35 years and they are planted at a density of 9000 vines/ha. The fruit is harvested manually, then destemmed and crushed before fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel. The wine macerates in vat for a total of three weeks with malolactic in tank, before the wine is run off into oak for up to 15 months, with 60% new wood for every vintage.
The grand vin here is Chateau Lynch-Bages, of which there are typically 25000 cases per annum. The nearby Chateau Haut Bages Averous has, since 1978, been used as the second label for Lynch-Bages (10000 cases per annum). There is also a 4.5 ha plot of white vines, comprising 40% Semillon, 40% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Muscadelle which is used for the AC Bordeaux Blanc Blanc de Lynch-Bages (3000 cases per annum).
Todays featured grower is Domaine Cristia – created by Etienne Grangeon 70 years ago, the property originally comprised 2 hectares of Grenache. It was developed further by the driving force of his son Alain, who joined the domaine in 1963. Passionate about viticulture, he notably contributed to the expansion of the domaine and planted improved grape varieties such as Syrah and Mourvèdre and created the identity of Cristia, based on the knowledge and respect of his soils.
Noted in “1001 Wines You Must Try Before You Die” …this is a Margaux classic fine wine at its best.
You’ve doubtless spent a fortune on the presents again this year, let alone the significant amount of festive food that you plan to consume over the course of the day.
Roast Turkey: As always we have to ponder the question, Red or White wine with the turkey …?
Roast Goose: We’d reccomend a relatively rich white to complement the texture of goose. This stunning Côte de Beaune Chardonnay also has the mineral edge to cut through the fattiness of the bird.
Founded in 1818 the Billecart family has lived in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ since the mid-sixteenth century. The House was established when Nicolas-François Billecart married Elisabeth Salmon. The Grande Marque quickly established an international reputation with a US subsidiary being set up in the early 1840′s. Russia became the company’s major export market but this trade collapsed after the 1917 revolution. Eight years later the decision was made to sell off the firm’s vineyards and the money raised was invested in the winery and cellars.
A few words from Vincent Girault; “To me the world of wine producing can be compared to a pyramid: a pyramid with four distinct levels with each interacting with each other: Firstly the basic level: the land, the soil, the Mother Earth and the terror, as without a good soil you can never produce a good wine.